The WKU women’s basketball team (6-3) suffered a 90-77 defeat to Purdue Fort Wayne on Sunday afternoon, concluding their participation in the Gulf Coast Showcase.
Alexis Mead led the Hilltoppers with a season-high 24 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field and 5-of-7 from three-point range. Her five three-pointers matched her career high. Mead also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, marking the fourth consecutive game the point guard has led the team on the boards.
Teresa Faustino contributed 13 points and led the team with three assists, while Karris Allen scored in double digits for the second straight game with 11 points.
Purdue Fort Wayne displayed impressive long-range shooting, making 17 of 33 attempted three-pointers for a blistering 51.5 percent.
The Mastodons started the game with a flurry of three-pointers, making seven of their first ten attempts from beyond the arc in the first quarter. They opened the quarter with four consecutive threes, taking an early 12-4 lead. WKU responded with a 5-0 run to cut the score to two at the 4:15 mark, but Purdue Fort Wayne countered with an 8-0 run to push the lead back to 10. The two teams traded baskets throughout the remainder of the quarter, and the Mastodons held a 30-19 lead heading into the second quarter.
WKU opened the second quarter with an 8-0 run, including two three-pointers from Pitts, to cut the lead to three. However, Purdue Fort Wayne responded with two more three-pointers of their own to go back ahead by nine. With 1:54 left, a layup from Hayes cut the lead to five, but Purdue Fort Wayne scored the final four points of the quarter to take a 44-35 lead into halftime.
Allen scored six straight points to open the third quarter, cutting the score to 46-41. Purdue Fort Wayne once again capitalized on three-pointers, hitting three in a row before a three from Mead and a layup from Odeth Betancourt. After an 8-2 run by the Mastodons, Mead caught fire from long range, hitting three consecutive three-pointers. The third quarter ended with Purdue Fort Wayne ahead 67-57.
Purdue Fort Wayne extended their lead to 15 points with the first five points of the fourth quarter. A three-pointer from Josie Gilvin at the 8:07 mark cut the deficit to 12. After a made free throw from the Mastodons, WKU converted three free throws to reduce the gap to ten points. Purdue Fort Wayne responded with five straight points, but WKU managed to cut the lead back to ten with a three-pointer from Mead at the 4:55 mark. However, that would be as close as the Lady Toppers would get.
Game Notes
- Purdue Fort Wayne outrebounded WKU 39-32.
- The Mastodons forced 19 turnovers, while WKU committed 17 turnovers.
Up Next
The Lady Toppers will open their Conference USA slate on Wednesday, December 6, when they host Rice at 6:00 PM CT inside Diddle Arena.
